George Washington Theberge

Apprentice-Baker, 1910; Tin Smith-Mill Work, 1920; Safe G[???]-Mfg., 1930

Married ca. 1912 in [New Jersey?] to Anna Mae Hutchinson
Born 16 Jan 1893 in Trenton, Mercer Co., New Jersey
Died 29 Apr 1973 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward Co., Florida

To them were born:

Notes

• George's age in the census records: in 1900, age 7 (b. Jun 1892); in 1910, age 17; in 1920, age 27; in 1930, age 37.
• Trenton Property Sold, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 25 Sep 1921:
    Overbrook Avenue, N., 112, Florence V. Sigler et al. to George W. Theberge and wife. Size, 19 x 120.
• Trenton Property Sales, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 11 May 1924:
    Overbrook Avenue, North, 112, George W. Theberge to Elwood C. Hammell and wife. Size, 19x120.
• In 1930 George owned a house valued at $5500.
• News report, Trenton Evening Times, 23 Jul 1937:
  Describe / Rescues / At Shore
  Trentonian Is Lost / When Three Are / Tossed Off Boat
  Craft Slapped / By Huge Wave
    Coast Guardsmen were searching today in the vicinity of Beach Haven Inlet for the body of George Theberge, 45, of South Warren and Front Streets, who was drowned early last evening.
    Two others were rescued. William Disbrow, of 485 Fairview Avenue, R. F. D. No. 6, and Joseph Van Sciver, of Philadephia, both employed at the Sloane-Blabon Corporation plant at Hutchinson's Mills.
    Disbrow today told a dramatic story of his own narrow escape, while mourning with other fellow employes, members of the fishing party, at the death of Theberge.
  Tide Running Strong
    Because of the strong tide running when a high wave struck the 36-foot skiff, Coast Guards were skeptical about the immediate recovery of Theberge's body. They explained that if it did not appear on today's tides, a lapse of 10 to 12 days might occur before further likelihood of the finding. He is survived by a wife and one child. They formerly lived at 402 Federal Street.
    Van Sciver, who is foreman in the mold room of the Sloane-Blabon plant, remained overnight at Beach Haven. He was quartered in a hotel under a phys-
  (Continued on Page Two)
  Rescue Described; / Trentonian Lost
  (Continued from Page One)
  sician's orders, who advised that he remain under observation.
    The fishing boat was being piloted by George Brown, a tinsmith, of North Clinton Avenue. According to Disbrow, Brown handled the craft expertly. Brown had constructed the skiff here. He took it down the Delaware River and up the coast to West Creek starting about 4:30 o'clock, yesterday afternoon.
    "It happened so quickly that I hardly know what happened," Disbrow said today. Depite his own experience, he reported to his job in the mold room this morning. He continued:
    "I was washed overboard and when I came up, I started for the boat. I saw Theberge throw his hands up and holler. When I was about 10 feet from the boat they threw me a life preserver. Then I made the boat, thank the Lord."
    Another life preserver reached Van Sciver and he was dragged back to the boat. However, others in the party who sought to aid Theberge said they saw no further glimpse of him after his outcry immediately after he hit the water.
    The incoming tide carried Disbrow nearly 150 feet from the boat, he said. As the boat tipped on its side, when the wave struck it, the anchor fell overboard, and Brown also slackened the engine speed immediately.
    Others aboard the craft explained that the mishap occurred when the wave, produced by treacherous cross currents, slapped the side of the boat. The three men thrown overboard had been sitting near the spray-shield of the boat, an elevated postion.
    Those aiding in the rescue of Disbrow and Van Sciver, were, in addition to Brown, William Nolan, 325 Church Street; George Hartnett, 317 Tioga Street; Joseph Zimmerman, 67 Barriclow Street, and Frank Pilgar, East Trenton Heights.
    The group of employes had been making weekly fishing trips to the shore, sailing with various captains. For Theberge, however, it was the first trip with the Sloane-Blabon group, with whom he had been employed about two months. Earlier in the day, he had spoken with enthusiasm about the anticipated adventure.
• News report, Trenton Evening Times, 24 Jul 1937:
  Search Continued for Body; / Zimmerman's Heroism Bared
    Volunteers are continuing their vigil at Beach Haven Inlet in the hope of locating the body of George Theberge, 45, of South Warren and Front Streets, who drowned there Thursday night when a wave threw him and two others from a fishing boat into the water. The others were rescued. Coast Guardsmen said they feared that several days may elapse before the body might be found. The group on the fishing boat consisted of employes of the Sloane-Blabon Corporation, Hutchinson's Mills, who were en route to ocean fishing when the mishap at the inlet occurred.
    It was revealed today that Joseph Zimmerman, of 67 Barriclow Street, had risked his life to rescue Joseph Van Sciver, of Philadelphia, one of those knocked overboard. Zimmerman, realizing the struggle Van Sciver was having, grabbed a life ring and plunged into the rough water.
• News report, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 25 Jul 1937:
  Theberge's Body / Taken From Ocean
    The body of George Theberge, 42, of South Warren Street, who was drowned in the ocean near Beach Haven Inlet, Thursday, while on a fishing expedition, was recovered yesterday. Funeral arrangements are being completed by Ralph Thatcher.
    Theberge and two other men were thrown overboard when a heavy wave struck their skiff as it was making a turn seaward. William Disbrow, of this city, saved himself by swimming through the heavy current, while Joseph Van Sciver, of Philadelphia, was rescued by other members of the party.
• Obituary, Trenton Evening Times, 26 Jul 1937:
  George Theberge
    George Theberge, husband of Mrs. Anna May Theberge, who drowned Thursday when a boat upset near Beach Haven, was buried today from the Thatcher Building, 986-88 South Broad Street.
    Services were conducted by the Rev. Edward Allen Morris, of First Presbyterian Church. Interment was in Riverview Cemetery, under direction of Ralph Thatcher. Bearers were: Oliver Leaver, Harold Crawford, Andrew Hesley, William Disbrow, Rowland W. Smith and John Innocenzi.
    Mr. Theberge resided in an apartment at South Warren and Front Streets. His body was recovered Saturday in Beach Haven Inlet.
• George was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, New Jersey (Section T, Lot 461).

Sources

• 1900 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 9, E.D. 83, Sheet No. 11A [=32A], 158-161, 249 Elmer St., 08 Jun 1900
• 1910 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 11, E.D. 91, Sheet No. 12B [=117B], 265-270, 1516 S. Clinton Ave., 22 Apr 1910
• 1920 - Trenton City Directory: Theberge George W, sheet metal worker, res 313 S Clinton av
• 1920 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 9, E.D. 83, Sheet No. 3A [=77A], 44-48, 313 Clinton, 03 Jan 1920
• 1930 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Hamilton Twp., E.D. 11-85, Sheet No. 20B [=201B], 484-485, 86 Reeger Ave., 14 Apr 1930